Present Continuous
ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ
Действие рассматривается, как процесс. Часто используется со словами: now, at the moment, at present и т.п.
1. Действие происходит прямо сейчас:
I’m getting the lunch ready.
The bus is coming. Run!
What are you doing? We’re looking for a restaurant.
Look there. Who is Rachel dancing with?
2. Действие рассматривается, как временное. Как что-то, происходящее на данном этапе:
At the moment, they are living in a very small flat.
My sister Fiona is living with Oliver just now. She’s not working yet. She’s looking for a job.
I must get back to the office. We’re working on a new project.
Did you hear the news? The police are looking after a Tom Baker.
I’m quite busy these days. I’m doing a course at college.
The number of car accidents on the road is increasing.
3. Мы можем использовать ‘be’ и ‘have’ в Present Continuous, если они описывают что-то, имеющее место в данный момент:
Wendy’s being wild tonight.
Tom is not coming. He’s having a graduation party.
Call me later. We’re having a conference right now.
4. Действие происходит регулярно, в одно и то же время:
At 8 o’clock, I’m usually driving to work, so phone me on my mobile.
7 o’clock is a bit early. We are usually eating then.
At 15 on Friday? Impossible. I’m usually swimming at this time.
Обычно, группа Continuous не употребляется со статичными глаголами (описывающими НЕ действие, А состояние):
Cтатичные глаголы:
1. ментальные
– мысли и мнения (agree, believe, doubt, guess, imagine, know, mean, recognize, remember, suspect, think, understand)
– чувства и эмоции (dislike, hate, like, love, prefer, want, wish)
– восприятие (appear, be, feel, hear, look, see, seem, smell, taste)
2. владеть (belong, have, possess, own)
3. измерять (measure, weigh)
I believe you now (NOT I’m believing you now)
Right now, I prefer books to films (NOT … I’m preferring…)
I now conclude that they never intended to return (NOT … I’m concluding…)
НО
Некоторые статичные глаголы (find, realize, regret, think, understand, appear, doubt, feel, guess, hear, imagine, look, measure, remember, smell, weigh, wish, taste, see) используются в Simple ИЛИ Continuous, в зависимости от контекста:
I regret that the company will have to be sold (“сожалею” как факт=не рассматривается как процесс)
I’m regretting my decision to give her the job (“сожалею” как процесс=сейчас уже сожалею, не перестаю сожалеть)
Ещё примеры:
ACTION
Madonna is currently appearing in a musical on Broadway.
ИЛИ
She often appears in musicals (activity: take part)
I’m thinking about going to Canada next year.
ИЛИ
Your trouble is, you think too much (activity: consider)
We’re seeing the Browns tomorrow afternoon (activity: we’re meeting them)
Look! The chef is tasting the wine (activity: tasting the wine)
STATE
The new treatment for influenza doesn’t appear to work (state: seem)
Do you think it’s a good idea? (state: opinion)
Do you see any problems with that? (state: opinion)
This coffee tastes delicious (state: our perception of the coffee)